Opponents of restrictions on relations with Cuba saw an opening with the spending bill to fund the Treasury Department, the Postal Service, and the White House. They proposed a series of amendments to starve the restrictions of the money needed for enforcement, including one amendment by Rangel (D-NY), who proposed forbidding spending on the Cuban economic embargo. Progressives supported Rangel's amendment, because they believed the embargo was ineffective and only hurt the Cuban people. Though two other amendments along these lines had passed, this effort to kill the embargo lost the crucial Republican support it needed. Progressives voted "yes," but the amendment was rejected 204-226.